alto links?

[Sinamen]

I know no one's crazy about links on altos, but I'm thinking of getting one. How are these pieces? Also, is there any difference between the silver and the gold?

[Carl H.]

Can't comment on the silver/gold, but I have played link on alto for about 10 years. I played a HR 7* and was pleased with the sound and projection, nice response and not too bright. As of late I have switched horns and the new horn didn't work with the 7 so I am currently playing a gold 10. Very big, but with the right reed it is extremely flexible. It can do light classical and big band, but it is better suited to the big band. Nice full sound and VERY free blowing.

[BrianL]

I've used a metal Link on my alto (YAS-52) for a little over a year now. It works real well for me when paired with the right lig and reed setup. Some like the setup, some dont. Get whatever works for you.

[Johannes Gerber]

I played a #6 STM Link that I refaced, for nearly 2 years. I had a full solid tone on it, I was quite happy. Then one day, after some time, I took a medium chamber rubber piece I opened to about .086 - guess what, it was 5 times better - it depends on the person, but most naturally good players will get used to a piece and get a nice tone on it

I find fault with the new generation Links (STM, alto)

The baffle is just too low to give real nice response for such a big chamber. I think STM Links on alto - compared with most HR alto pieces - are plain dead. But then it's metal (STM) against rubber.

When I reface a STM alto Link I always add some baffle to give it faster air.

Like I said, I used one for nearly 2 years and sounded great on it - because I got used to it. BUT..

You should try it out yourself and feel it.

Have a look at www.geocities.com/jgerberza to see what I came up with in Link terms for alto - a true Link killer.

Regards
JG

[colibri]

I have a metal Florida alto link. The roll-over baffle gives it some aliveness while maintaining a big bottom end. If you want your link to be silver, just polish the gold plating off. The current production one I tried wouldn't seal with the reed and was stuffy sounding. Try before you buy please.

[coolsax_ca]

I play on standard Yas-23 alto. I currently have a (about a .61 tip opening) Rosseau mouthpiece. It's great for classical and and some mellow blues, but I'm looking for something that has the capabilities of projecting a little more, still dark but with a little more edge, for more of the jazz and blues stuff only. Would a Link be sutible, a Meyer, Vandorean V16...I'm at a loss. Looking for a good Redman sound on alto, or of that sort.

[super20dan]

do not use a metal link on alto!!!!

[sessionsax]

I think that the metal link on alto is the dullest deadest piece out there. Try an old tone edge HR -- they aren't too bad. But there are much better pieces for alto to spend your money on.

[coolsax_ca]

How 'bout some suggestions session. -Thanks in advance

[paulwl]

I think that the metal link on alto is the dullest deadest piece out there.
The problem might be that they make the alto sound too much like a tenor...???

I've been messing with mine (Fla 5) on the C-melody and it's not too bad.[/quote]

[sessionsax]

coolsax_ca

I need to know what sound you are going after -- who has the tone that you are going for. Also, what kind of sound do you get now -- and what piece and horn are you currently using.

The first question will bring some pieces to mind, and the second will give me an idea of the sound charactaristics that you already have with your setup.

Let me know

[SaxColuss]

put a baffle in it.......it'll spice up ur life!! :twisted:

[MojoBari]

I think adding a little baffle to these large chamber alto pieces is a good thing to try. I find them unusable for modern playing otherwise.

[coolsax_ca]

session-
I now only have but a mere YAS-23 with a Rosseau mouthpiece of about .63 tip opening. I've been playing for nearly 7 years and I'm saving up for Selmer Reference 54 Alto-that is if I like it. But I want to get a dark sound, one that I could use in a good college jazz band, while still projecting, but a good piece so that I can still play some funk as well as blues. I like Redman's tone although he is a tenor player

[sessionsax]

coolsax_ca,

Check out a lakey 6*3 or 7*3 -- they are a fairly inexpensive -- yet powerful hard rubber mp. They are more projecting and a bit brighter than a modern meyer. To me the modern meyers are stuffy, but I am sure that you will get some recommendations for them. The old ones were very nice, but they are extremely hard to find and unbelievably expensive.

The lakey would be my first choice, with a beechler small chamber HR mouthpiece as a second choice. Reed choice can darken or brighten up this pieces a good deal.